Sweeney: Donato Will Get An Opportunity

The 21-year-old could make his NHL debut as early as Monday

BOSTON - As the Bruins cruise towards a spot in the postseason, they've added another potential piece of the puzzle with the signing of highly-touted forward prospect Ryan Donato.

General manager Don Sweeney announced on Sunday evening that he had inked the 21-year-old Scituate native to a two-year, entry-level contract. The Harvard standout will forego his senior season with the Crimson and join the Bruins, for whom he will be eligible to play on Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Bruins Sign Ryan Donato To Entry-Level Contract

Hobey Baker finalist was 4th in NCAA with 26 goals for Harvard this season

BOSTON - Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, March 18, that the team has signed Harvard forward Ryan Donato to a two-year entry-level contract. Donato will join the Boston Bruins and will be eligible to play in tomorrow night's game vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden.

B's Look to Close Gap in the Atlantic

Backes shifts to top line ahead of the division showdown

As the Bruins look to continue and climb the standings, only one team stands between them an the top spot in the Eastern Conference. That team is the Tampa Bay Lightning, the B's opponent on Saturday night.

"Like we've done all year we're going to hit it head on and embrace that challenge," said forward David Backes. "We have good players on this team too…our top six, top nine, its formidable and we need to act like that and go out there and play our game, it doesn't matter who you're playing."

Practice Update: Bruins Set Sights on Tampa

Focus shifts towards matchup between top teams in East

TAMPA BAY - When the Bruins and Lightning take the ice on Saturday night, it will be a battle of two Eastern Conference heavy weights. The two teams enter the matchup as the first and second ranked team in the conference, and with the second and third most points in the NHL behind only Nashville (102).

"Great team, obviously, they've had a lot of success this year," said defenseman Torey Krug. "Big moment for us. If we want a chance to catch them, it probably starts with [Saturday]. We play them a couple more times down the road, so set the tone in that regard, and it's a good test. I know a lot of guys in here are excited about it."

Bruins Week Ahead: March 16 - March 23

STAT OF THE WEEK: The Bruins' five-goal third period outburst in their 6-4 comeback win at Carolina on March 13 marked their third five-goal period of the season, the most since the 1979-80 season, when they totaled four. During the comeback, David Pastrnaknotched a hat trick in 7:26, the fastest hat trick by a Bruins player since Martin Lapointe scored three goals in 5:15 exactly 15 years prior on March 13, 2003 versus the New Jersey Devils.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "With this team…we are never out of a game. The character in the room, it's come through all year long. It just kind of feels on the bench, when we get a goal, we just kind of start to take over." - Brad Marchand after the team's 6-4 comback win at Carolina

TWEET OF THE WEEK (WEEK 27): @DaleEArnold (Dale Arnold, NESN): Two goals after the crowd belts out "Livin' On a Prayer." Coincidence? You be the judge. #Bruins - 3/10 vs. Chicago

Bruins Offense Halted in Shutout Loss

The B's recorded 46 shots on net in the 3-0 loss on Thursday

SUNRISE - The Bruins fell to the Florida Panthers by a score of 3-0 on Thursday night. Despite outshooting their opposition 46-28, the B's were unable to get one past James Reimer, who recorded his third shutout of the season.

"At the end of the night, it wasn't our night in the offensive end," said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. "As you look at it now, there's a lot of pucks bouncing around we just couldn't corral. Give their goaltender credit. Sometimes it bounces your way, sometimes it doesn't. I think other nights, a few of those could have bounced our way."

Frederic Takes Next Step Towards His Dream

University of Wisconsin center signs entry-level contract after two seasons

BostonBruins.com - In the college hockey world, some players encounter the difficult decision of choosing the right time to take the next step and play professional hockey. For Bruins prospect and University of Wisconsin sophomore Trent Frederic, his time is now.

On Tuesday, Frederic - while sporting a Red Sox hat - inked a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins beginning with the 2018-19 season. He will finish out the remainder of the 2017-18 season on an Amateur Tryout Agreement with the Providence Bruins.

Donato, Swayman Pick Up Honors

Gabrielle pots filthy shootout goal

BostonBruins.com - In recognition of his stellar junior season for the Harvard Crimson, Bruins prospect Ryan Donato has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2018 Hobey Baker Award, given to the best college hockey player in the nation.